Introduces a special issue that explores new immigration trends and major issues related to K-12 schooling in urban areas. The seven articles fall into three categories: a national and historical overview; examples of two types of educational change; and the acculturation and schooling experiences of various racial/ethnic immigrant groups. (SM)

This article explores some general notions about politics, evaluation, large city districts, and their interrelations. Different segments of the evaluation process are analyzed to isolate specific political elements in operation. (Author/AM)

Discusses implications (in general and, specifically, on education), of the rapid demographic changes that are transforming the racial, regional, and age characteristics of the nation's population. Considers urban policy issues generated by these demographic trends. (GC)

Amish parents who refused to enroll their children in high school (because of religous tenets) violated the Wisconsin Compulsory School Attendance Law. The court ruled the law unconstitutional as it applied to these parents; this opens issues for current community control. (DM)

Explores "alternative delivery systems" in inner-city education, the variety of programs and schools available to children being educated in the urban centers. Traces the origins of the problems of urban schools, describes the articles of this special issue, and identifies themes that emerge in attempts to solve urban school problems. Contains 18…

A discussion of managerial retraining in order to further administrative reorganization and improvement of management by the former Superintendent of Schools in Philadelphia, an organizational development consultant, and an educator with an interest in organizational development. (Author/JM)

Discusses the possibility of the field of education becoming a major setting for behavioral science interventions and, hence, educational change. (Author/SB)

Describes the impact on the dropout problem of the Boston Compact, a collaboration between universities, businesses, labor unions, cultural organizations, and Boston Public School. Reviews "The Dropout Prevention and Reentry Proposal," a long-range plan developed in 1986 by a task force of school and community people, and the program…

When administrators base plans and actions on the particular life circumstances and conditions of parents, effective school-home relations result. This article suggests different emphases in urban versus rural and elementary versus secondary settings. (Author/LHW)

Examines the nature of the "sense of fate control" findings of the Coleman Report, and argues that these findings are irrelevant to the debate over community control. (DM)

Because of urban problems, public education is presently undergoing its greatest challenge in the cities. Citizens of the nation have the technical skills to solve problems, but presently lack the moral commitment necessary. (DM)

Reviews the reasons for increasing the diversity of the teaching force, especially in urban schools. Introduces the articles of this special issue, which address the roles of federal, state, and local governments in increasing teacher diversity, discuss successful programs for increasing diversity, and describe the experiences and perspectives of…

Argues for application to our cities of a familiar institutional model for growth and renovation: the land-grant university, and discusses in detail the character of that model. (JM)